She looks at me, and I see the hope and fear warring in her eyes.
"I need to make some calls," I say."Get some information.Figure out what we're dealing with."
"You mean figure out everything about Randall."
"Yeah."
"I can tell you about him."
"You can tell me what you know.But I need to know what you don't.Like why the MPs covered for him.Who his friends are.What kind of pull he has."
She nods."Okay."
"You want to take a shower?I'll make coffee."
"That sounds perfect."
She climbs out of bed, unselfconscious in her nakedness, and heads to the bathroom.I watch her go, admiring the curve of her hips, the strength in her shoulders.
She's a fighter.Always has been.
But she shouldn't have to fight alone.
I pull on jeans and a T-shirt and head to the kitchen.While the coffee brews, I grab my phone and start making calls.
First up is Vincent.
He answers on the second ring."You need that backup yet?"
"Not yet.But I need information."
"On?"
"Staff Sergeant Randall Shelly.Army Special Forces.Stationed at Fort Bragg.I need to know everything.Service record.Complaints.Friends.Associates.Anything you can dig up."
"That's a lot."
"I know.But it's important.I met a girl"
Vincent whistles.
"She’s in trouble?"
"Big trouble.And I need to know what I'm up against."
Vincent's quiet for a moment."You sure you want to get involved in this?Sounds like it could get messy."
"I'm already involved."
"Tim, if this guy's Special Forces and he's got friends covering for him, that's not going to be an easy fight."
"I don't care."
"You care about her."
It's not a question.
"Yeah," I say."I do.Her name is Carla Alexander.She’s a former marine and Shelly’s ex.He’s not taking the rejection very well."
